A Green Frog at Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve in Suamico, June 1, 2022. PC: Fox 11 Online
SUAMICO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — With nearly 20 different species of amphibians across the state, many recognize the more popular ones like frogs and toads.
On the grounds of Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve in Suamico, an American Toad takes cover Wednesday morning. Brown County Parks Department officials says the toad is one of eight different amphibians found there.
“The frogs basically are in three families. So you’re going to have your toad family. You’re going to have true frogs. And your tree frogs,” said Jason Petrella, Brown County Program and Natural Resource Manager.
Petrella says the frogs are just starting to call.
“Definitely towards more the evening hours. You’re going to hear a lot of spring peepers. You’re going to hear some wood frogs, and chorus frogs. You’re going to hear leopard frogs, tree frogs. They’re all calling. So you get this huge chorus of frogs that’s happening,” he said.
Petrella says amphibians absorb water through their skin and are sensitive to changes in water quality, and pollution. He says the mild winter has turned into a relatively favorable spring.
“I was a little nervous with that winter. We didn’t have a lot of snow. Obviously very dry. And then we had that big snow storm in April. And then we’ve had a lot of rain since then. Everything’s really caught up. So all of the wetlands here at Barkhausen, really Northeast Wisconsin, are really filled up. Just in time for frogs to be out there,” said Petrella.
Petrella says many of those wetlands are not deep.
“Those are really critical for a lot of frog species, and amphibian species. Those temporary wetlands out there. While they’ll dry up in the summer, but the amphibians use them now, lay their eggs, and they’ll eventually turn into adult frogs, or salamanders before it dries out. But because they’re so shallow, and do dry out, there’s no fish. So it’s a lack of predators. Amphibians love these temporary wetlands,” he said.
On Wednesday, some tiny tadpoles were spotted in an area roadside ditch.
The Department of Natural Resources is highlighting conservation for the frogs and other species during Amphibian Week.
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